Leaving on a Big Big Boat

For my Dad's 60th birthday, my mom gave him a Family Cruise and for a year my Dad has been planning everything out perfectly for our adventure to Mexico. Some how we were able to fit all of our luggage and persons in my parents house for the days leading up to the cruise. It really felt like just what you see in the Home Alone movie. Kids everywhere. Toys EVERYWHERE! Adults everywhere. And so much food! We had every room in the house filled with sleeping bags, blankets and every bed was taken.

 One of my favorite pictures of my parents- Leading our family

My Dad rented a big bus to take us all to the cruise port so we wouldn't have to hassle with a handful of cars, directions etc... and it was the perfect solution! We loved being on the bus together singing Christmas songs and dancing.

 This little one had a hard time adjusting to the 3 hour time difference. She fell asleep even with all the singing and dancing.  It was a hard battle the whole trip (and even now that we are home!!)

 All the grandkids ready to go (minus Quincy)

Yup- it really happened. We made it on the boat. Even with a morning similar again to Home Alone :)

The tradition of the Balboa Christmas Boat Parade

This tradition of seeing the Balboa Christmas Boat parade goes way back and this was the first time that Taryn and Tyson were able to experience it. The cute little houses along the board walk have the most elaborate holiday decorations. Looking at houses on your right and watching boats lit up with Christmas lights (totally decked out!) on your left as they putter past is so much fun! Taking the ferry over to Balboa island is part of the fun, hearing the captains from the ships yelling "Happy Holidays" over their radios and blasting Christmas music, and of course, eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We had the entire back half of the restaurant all to ourselves because we had so many people in our family..and it wasn't even half of the children (plus their spouses and their children!!) When ever I think back to this tradition I remember sipping hot chocolate while walking, loving the small houses and seeing how they decorated for the holidays, thousand island dressing on my salad and the great pasta dishes from the restaurant.

Being the 1st to arrive in California

Taryn was the first grandchild to arrive in California so we got to do a lot with Grandma like ride on the Reindeer in Santa's workshop area, play at the park up the street from the parent's home, and find  all those toys I used to play with as a child. It never gets old seeing Taryn pull out a doll that I played with so much, or carry a stuffed animal dalmation dog I got for my 4th (?) birthday, and discover the Barbie cars that she can push around. I love that my mom still has all these great toys.

Everything is ten times more fun when you put cousins in the mix. I loved watching Taryn play with her cousins from the other side of the room. They loved her and she adored them. She called Quincy and Oliver (born 9 & 6 months after her) "Baby" the whole trip. She could call for "Natawee" (Nataleigh), "Efen" (Ethan), "Jacoo" (Jacob), "Merrwick" (Merrick) and "Berkqwee" (Berkleigh) by the end of our stay. You could hear her laughing and saying "Friends? Where are you??" at the top of her lungs.

I think one of the hardest things about being so far away from Tyson's family and mine is that Taryn can't play with her cousins all the time. But they all make fast friends again with every family trip and play so well together. From the oldest to the youngest, you know that there is a special bond between them all.

 

Playing with Aunt Kenzie

 

Where does she learn how to do those faces?!?!?!

Taking the bench after me.

A reindeer Merry -Go- Round. She gave her reindeer a big kiss after she was done with her ride.

At Santa's workshop at South Coast Plaza. 

Probably the BEST Santa activity area in a mall I have ever seen. We didn't stand in line to see him (remember--- I already know how that would all go down) But we watched him from above on the 2nd floor. Santa looked up at Taryn 3 times and waved just to her, even with the longest line of children waiting to see him. She was so completely happy and I may have almost cried (yes, I know, but I did) because he took the time to notice her even from way below!!! It's the simple things that make such a big impression.

Catching up after the wonderful holidays!

We are back from our great holiday vacations and are in the serious process of recouping. We were all hit hard with a bad cold before Christmas and had a super slow week long recovery before we hopped on our plane to California. Now we are suffering from a cold again!  I've learned I have a horrible immune system, planes and sickness don't mix well, Taryn's allergic to medicated chapstick/carmex, and that we never have enough tissues or cold medicine around when we need it.

But sickness aside, we had such a great time seeing the Scott Family and we were also lucky enough to have Tyson's parents come into town for a quick visit around New Years. We are happy to be back home and sorting through all our pictures from the great holidays! 

I'll leave you with just a little snap shot

Our view from the cruise ship of

Lands End, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Happy Holidays from the Smith's

Wishing you the best this holiday season.

design by paige c. anderson

A holiday weekend with three. Trains, gardens, trees, and lots of hot chocolate!

I love this new family picture! It captures what our whole weekend was about. Being together as a family in D.C. for the holidays. We kept talking about how perfect this weekend was and how much fun we were having. I am so glad we had this time together to enjoy before Taryn and I left for California the following Monday.

 

We took Tyson to see the trains at the US Botanical Gardens. Taryn loved it all again and enjoyed running around with Daddy showing him all the "Trains!" Seeing these two together was the best part of the weekend.

  

We said hi to the ducks and seagulls again. Taryn was a champ all weekend long as she napped well in her stroller multiple times a day. It's exhausting to run around seeing trains, chasing seagulls, and dancing to music as a little babe! She fell asleep just as we arrived at the White House to see the National Tree. It was beautiful and again, there were trains! We almost woke up Taryn to see them but knew we would probably see them again next year (?) Each state has a mini Christmas tree surrounding the national tree. We spotted many with beautiful handmade ornaments kept in protective plastic bubbles. I cried as we passed the Connecticut tree. There were little teddy bears placed at the base of the tree, little letters of love, and signs. I cried all weekend long every time I saw more news about that tragic event. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to go through that as a parent. Our prayers are with those families.

Again, this simple weekend was just so great. We loved being together in this city that we've made our own with grand adventures. Being bundled up, sipping peppermint hot chocolate (multiple times!) and having my two favorite people by my side was wonderful! 

Eastern Market for the Holiday

Saturday morning brought us to the Eastern Market to peruse the market in search for a unique D.C. ornament to add to our tree (no luck!) and maybe something special for Taryn. We had another super yummy lunch at Market Lunch (we love their fish and we have plans to take all our visitors there!) and found the cutest finger puppets for Taryn. Taryn danced along to the live band playing fun music and spotted several Santa's walking the streets. This little girl became very concerned every time Santa walked away saying, "Santa! Where you going?!!!" yelling on the top of her lungs. As long as Santa is at a distance, we are golden. But I am not even going to attempt to have her sit on Santa's lap this year, knowing that she won't even make it without bursting into tears. Maybe next year, right?